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Friday, 11 October 2013

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2013

The Nobel Peace Prize 2013 was awarded to Organization for
the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons"for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons".

During World War One,
chemical weapons were used to a considerable degree. The Geneva Convention of
1925 prohibited the use, but not the production or storage, of
chemical weapons. During World War Two, chemical means were employed in Hitler’s
mass exterminations. Chemical weapons have subsequently been put to use on
numerous occasions by both states and terrorists. In 1992-93 a convention was
drawn up prohibiting also the production and storage of such weapons. It came
into force in 1997. Since then the OPCW has, through inspections, destruction
and by other means, sought the implementation of the convention. 189 states
have acceded to the convention to date.

The conventions and the work of the OPCW have defined the use
of chemical weapons as a taboo under international law. Recent events in Syria,
where chemical weapons have again been put to use, have underlined the need to
enhance the efforts to do away with such weapons. Some states are still not
members of the OPCW. Certain states have not observed the deadline, which was
April 2012, for destroying their chemical weapons. This applies especially to
the USA and Russia.

Disarmament
figures prominently in Alfred Nobel’s will. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has
through numerous prizes underlined the need to do away with nuclear weapons. By
means of the present award to the OPCW, the Committee is seeking to contribute
to the elimination of chemical weapons.